Since it's the last day of the year I thought I'd share some of the posts that helped inspire me this year. I went through all the posts I starred in my rss feed and just happened to come out with 10 from this year. In addition to those articles there's a post from 2008 I just discovered and a site that I really dig. Nothing comes from before June of 2010 because that's when I started starring things (didn't think about using the function until then). Here is the list in no particular order:
A really good summary of what today's juniors value in a job, at least juniors like me. It's not (strictly) about pay or bomb accounts, it's who you get to work with and for.
Trump Has an Apprentice Program, What About You? - Ad Pulp
It's a post about having the necessity of having the skills to make things. The more we can make ourselves the better off we'll be when looking for a job. Bottom line don't be the person up your own ass about your writing ability or degree, what do you make?
How to Have Ideas on Demand. Like Now! - Escapology (The Escape Pod Blog)
The real answer? You can't. But Vinny tells it like it is and says it gets easier with time. I know the more I write the easier it becomes so maybe he's on to something.
Why Clients are Always Confused - The Ad Contrarian
Not really a junior minded article but it does shine a light on what you'll be dealing with when you get into the business. Clients are fickle beasts and learning how to treat your ideas early on to be digestible the easier it will be to get brilliant work produced. You don't want ideas that double as suppositories, that would get messy.
Five rules for your About page - Seth Godin
They may apply for your about page but it's also a helpful guide for resumes. Sell yourself not just your accomplishments or responsibilities like "successfully organized database x". I picked this article out of a myriad of Seth's post's I have starred. If you read this blog you know my thoughts on him. His posts are short go read a few-dozen.
Little Tip #2: more generalists, less specialists. - Brand New
A reminder to stay curious about the world because too many people get caught up in the one thing they're really good at. A good idea can be anything be it print, video, radio or some cool interactive deal. The best ideas work well as ideas then executions, a good execution does not make a good idea.
80% Idea, 80% Execution - Dave Trott's Blog
A reminder that everyone's process for coming up with ideas is different. We all need to put in effort on ideas and execution but there is no balance, more effort always needs to go into both. A bit inspiring and a bit daunting to read. Like all of Dave's posts.
I really like the way Ben Kay writes his blog and this post is no exception. He's venting his frustrations out about the current state of advertising in the UK and gives some good insight into what's going on over there. It's not particularity pleasant but it is a look in to the industry and a good one at that.
Me Wonderful Me - A Gaping Void (Hugh MacLeod)
What I so thoroughly enjoy about Hugh's site is that he write very little and makes you think a lot. I shared this post with a few of my friends and got mixed reactions (a few of them might fall in that last category). So how would you answer his question?
What's in it for me? - Dave Trott
Of course Dave Trott shows up here again. This post he is critiquing the way someone approached him for a lecture for a junior ad club. I can't tell if this post is his form of the lesson or not but make sure to read the comments string, it's particularity interesting. Also a good lesson if you are in charge of a junior creative club.
BONUS
Advertising's dirty Little Secrets #1: It's all about people, not process - The Sell! Sell! Blog
I didn't pull anything from their blog from this year but this post from 2008 is incredible. It's a denunciation of silos and large agency processes. They take people to task on what it takes to get a really good idea. Just a really awesome post.
AdVerve Podcast (the whole lot of them) - Bill Green and Angela Natividad
Yes. All 59 episodes of this podcast count for one recommendation, I make the rules here anyway. Bill and Angela put out the best marketing/advertising/life podcast I've ever heard. Great insights into the industry, great conversation and a myriad of topics. The hosts and the guests they bring on really care about advertising and great work. You can hear it in the conversation and I am tremendously happy I found this podcast. Please give them a listen because it is so incredible. During every episode I find myself nodding along and thinking, "Damn. They really get it." Some of my favorites are 40, 23, 48, 47 and 42.
Well that's the list. I hope you enjoy and get through it. Here's to a 2011 full of gettin' things done and producing awesome work. Thanks for reading, I like to think I'm not just shouting out into the void.